By Philip Croucher - Metro Halifax

University spokesman Scott Roberts confirmed to Metro on Tuesday night that a recently graduated student has died while in Cancun.

‚ÄúI am deeply saddened to inform our campus community that one of our graduating students passed away suddenly this morning while on vacation in Cancun, Mexico. We have few details about the circumstances at this time,‚ÄĚ Roberts told the King‚Äôs-County Register newspaper.

Media reports say the 21-year-old, identified as Sydney Taylor, died early Tuesday after apparently falling about 10 metres from the balcony of her second-floor hotel room. They say the victim was identified by her Canadian roommate.

In an email to Metro, Roberts said the incident occurred on a privately-organized vacation and wasn‚Äôt associated with the university.

The student was among a group of graduates on the trip. The remaining students are scheduled to return to Wolfville by the end of the week.

‚ÄúWe have made arrangements so that the university‚Äôs counselling services will be available to them and to all members of the campus community,‚ÄĚ Roberts said. ‚ÄúI know you will join me in extending our heartfelt sympathies to our student‚Äôs family at this time of tragic loss.‚ÄĚ

In Ottawa, Foreign Affairs confirmed that a Canadian had died in Mexico, but did not provide any details. It says Canadian consular officials are in contact with local authorities to gather more information and that consular assistance is being provided both in Mexico and to the woman`s relatives in Canada.